Dental sealants are a preventive dentistry procedure that used to be recommended just for kids. However, their tremendous success means that they are becoming more popular for adults as well. Dental sealants can reduce your risk of cavities by nearly 90% in people at highest risk for cavities. They can be placed in a quick and easy procedure, and they can last for years, helping you and your children maintain good oral health with less need for restorative dentistry.
For nearly 40 years, Dr. Bob has been building a tradition of excellence in dentistry on his experience, expertise, and compassion. He wants to ensure all his patients have the healthiest and most attractive smiles possible, and dental sealants are a big help. If you would like to experience the benefits of dental sealants in Butler, PA, please call (724) 282-4436 today for an appointment at Advanced Dentistry of Butler.
Who Benefits Most from Sealants
Sealants are a preventive treatment that can be used for virtually anyone. However, the people who are likely to benefit most from dental sealants are those who have:
- Deep cracks and crevices in molars
- Difficulty cleaning rear teeth
- Current or recurrent decay
- A diet that increases their risk of cavities
- Retained wisdom teeth
People with the above characteristics are considered at high risk for cavities. Research shows that high-risk individuals may see their cavity risk drop by about 87% thanks to dental sealants.
As a result, the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), recommends sealants, saying that they “save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth.”
How Sealants Work
The structure of our teeth has been passed down from a time when we were more likely to eat food with extensive roughage in it. We needed teeth with high ridges and deep grooves to break down this tough food. And chewing the tough food helped keep these ridges and grooves clean.
But with the modern diet, these ridges and grooves are less necessary, and they’re more likely to become clogged with food and bacteria. They can be hard to clean for many people, which makes them places where cavities are likely to start.
Sealants are applied to these ridges and grooves to stop food and bacteria from accumulating there. This reduces the risk of cavities starting there.
The dental sealant process begins with an examination to ensure the teeth to be sealed are currently free of decay. If we find decay, we will treat it. Sealants can be applied over fillings.
Then we will apply a light acid wash to your teeth. This helps clean your teeth and roughens the surface to improve the bond between the sealant and teeth. Then the sealant is painted onto the teeth. It is hardened with a curing light.
It only takes a few minutes to apply sealants, and they can last for up to ten years!
Are Sealants Right for You?
If you have a personal or family history of tooth decay on your molars, dental sealants may be a great choice to protect your teeth against decay. To learn how you could benefit from dental sealants in Butler, PA, please call (724) 282-4436 today for an appointment with Dr. Bob at Advanced Dentistry of Butler.
